PREMIER LEAGUE aces have been given the green light to take a knee in support of race equality by the FA.
The growing movement behind Black Lives Matter has seen players and clubs alike make public gestures showing their solidarity.
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The FA look set to allow Premier League players to pay tribute to George Floyd when the action returnsCredit: Getty Images – Getty
England star Jadon Sancho was booked at the weekend after revealing ‘Justice for George Floyd’ on a t-shirt after scoring a goal for Borussia Dortmund.
However, he could face further punishment from the German FA despite a number of other Bundesliga stars paying similar tributes at the weekend.
Writing messages underneath shirts are technically still against the laws of the game and can be punished by a match official or the FA.
But the governing body have effectively suggested they will turn a blind eye to players in England making similar statements following the death of Floyd at the hands of police in America last month.
Jadon Sancho was booked for his tribute and could face further punishment by the German FACredit: Reuters
It comes after Chelsea posted a photo to social media showing their entire squad taking a knee at their Cobham training base on Tuesday morning.
Liverpool also uploaded a similar picture showing Mo Salah and Co in the same pose at Anfield.
And Dutch side PSV Eindhoven took a knee too as they showed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement.
An FA Spokesperson said: “The FA strongly condemns discrimination of any kind and has endeavoured to ensure that football in England is both diverse and inclusive in recent years.
“Where any behaviours or gestures on the pitch that may constitute a breach of the Laws of the Game have to be assessed, they would be reviewed on a case by case basis with a common sense approach and understanding of their context.
Dutch side PSV Eindhoven took the knee to show their solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement
“The power of football can break down barriers across communities and we remain deeply committed to removing all forms of discrimination from across the game we all love.”
Meanwhile, Manchester United stars Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford have already sent powerful anti-racism messages in tribute to Floyd’s memory.
Pogba said: “I felt anger, pity, hatred, indignation, pain, sadness. Sadness for George and all black people who suffer racism every day.
“Whether in football, at work, at school, anywhere! This has to stop, once and for all. Not tomorrow or the next day, today!
“Violent racism can no longer be tolerated. I can’t tolerate. I won’t tolerate. We won’t tolerate. Racism is ignorance. Love is intelligence.”
Rashford added: “I’ve been trying to process what is going on in the world.
“At a time I’ve been asking people to come together, work together and be united, we appear more divided than ever.
“People are hurting and need answers. Black lives matter. Black culture matters. Black communities matter. We matter.”
Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho reveals ‘Justice for George Floyd’ t-shirt in support of BLM protests after scoring first goal in hat-trick vs Paderborn
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
